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The 3 Most Common Problems For Graphic Designers

Sure, there are lots of technical problems. You might have trouble with your computer programs or your graphics might not transfer to the Internet the way they should. These kinds of problems are daily battles for graphic designers that they must learn to overcome.

But, are there other problems for graphic designers?

Unfortunately, the answer is yes: there are common problems that arise between designers and their clients. This is a natural occurrence in an industry that relies on clear communication between two groups of people.

At Brooks, we want you to be able to troubleshoot these problems before you are even working in the industry. To start, we’ve outlined the 3 most common problems and their fixes for you. Read more to get ahead of the curve and avoid these problems from the get-go:

1. Skipping Contracts

Found of Graphic Design BlenderPreston D. Lee argues that the most common mistake designers make is deciding not to write a contract when working with a client. This can be detrimental to themselves, their client and their business.

A contract basically outlines what you have agreed to design for a client. Whether it’s a website, ad campaign or something else, you can use the contract to describe the scope of the project. It is also a good place to determine deadlines and payment.

Understanding the business side of Graphic Design is an important step. Lee says, “Everyone knows it’s better to avoid a problem than to try to solve it later. That’s why not signing a contract is the most important mistake to avoid – because it will help you avoid so many problems in the future.”

The nice thing about a contract is that it’s not just for the client. It’s for you, the designer, too. It can allow you to outline how much work you need to do on a daily basis to complete a project – which can keep you organized and goal-oriented.

2. Getting Attached to a Design

Clients often ask designers to create a variety of designs for them to choose from. Naturally, you can feel that one design is the best and the most appropriate for your client. You might even spend more time working on it than the other design options because it is your favorite.

And while it is okay to have favorites, graphic designer Ben Jacques argues that you shouldn’t get too attached. He says, “Many designers often complain that when they show a client a variety of designs they created for them, the client will usually pick the worst design out of the bunch. This can be aggravating to a designer who prefers one particular design over the rest.”

Try not to spend more time on one design than any other. Keep your motives professional and do not get attached. Clients can be very picky and detail-oriented. Starting with a basic design that you know you have to revise allows the client to project their own brand and vision onto your template.

It can be very difficult working with clients. They can be hard to communicate with, unclear about their wants or demanding. They might ask you to revise your design several times before they are satisfied. But no matter how difficult they are, be patient and professional.

Do not burn a bridge. Clients often recommend designers to business partners and associates. They also have been known to use the same designer for multiple projects. If you burn your bridge, you could lose out on many opportunities.

It is also important to avoid this mistake when working with other designers. If you have a habit of bridge-burning, then your peers can also undermine you. Lee describes an incident where a designer was rude to him after he wasn’t picked to work on a project. Lee says, “The irony of it all is that I was planning on keeping this designer on a very short list of designers I might be able to hire in the near future. But guess what I did after he was so rude to me… That’s right. I scratched his name right off the list. I’ll never contact him for work again.”

And, because of how this designer acted, Lee will probably never recommend him to other designers either. You never know what kind of opportunities you might miss out on when you treat clients or other designers poorly.

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